Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra are ready to showcase their first-ever grand finale for the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) and the designers feel like being "reborn in the world of fashion" as they call it their "ultimate exam".

"It has happened to us after 18 years and there isn't anything more exciting than this.

"The first Shantanu and Nikhil finale on a platform like Lakme Fashion Week which has continuously given fashion and makeup a new dimension," Nikhil told IANS in an e-mail interview.

"It is almost like being reborn in the world of fashion. We still feel like -- Is this really happening to us? It is like the ultimate fashion show for us. The feeling is one of as if it is our first and last fashion show. This is the ultimate exam in the fashion world," added Shantanu.

The designers will showcase their first ever finale collection at the Summer/Resort edition of LFW that will start from January 30 at JioGarden, Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

Inspired by Matte Reinvent -- Lakme's beauty theme for the season -- the designers would present their latest collection titled Recruit SS'19 on February 4.

Their line promises to take the audience on an empowering journey of the culmination of modern authority in the contemporary Indian framework of beliefs and will highlight the evolution that has led to the emancipation of the millennial Indian woman.

Talking about how much is this collaboration going to add responsibility on them as designers, Shantanu said: "Firstly we are always questioning ourselves at work and always looking to reinvent our styles and designs. We are looking for a disturbance in our equilibrium at work so it is not unusual for us to be putting ourselves into this position."

"As far as the responsibility is concerned, if you have a story to tell and you stick to it, just go full-throttle and that's what we are doing...," Nikhil added.

"This time we are giving red a new dimension in a matte flavour. Red is also a colour we have never dabbled with and that by itself gave us an added sense of responsibility. How do we make red, black and gold -- the colours of the Lakme packaging this season -- integrate seamlessly.

"Then sort of weave it in with a story that has a strong emotional connect of valour, pride and integrity that pretty much sets the tone for this collection."

The designers always focus on gender neutral clothing since a few years as they introduced men to draped kurtas which is considered to be extremely feminine and they accepted it nicely.

"We have taken que from that and moved to a line for a woman who is more empowered. The silhouettes are more structured which give her that opportunity to lead the path, this kind of story telling is what the ‘Recruit' will resonate with women because it speaks of their abilities through silhouettes," said Shantanu.

Talking about being a trend-setter, Nikhil said, "We've always considered to be an anti-trend brand of design, what others are doing that pretty much formulates the eco-system of trends and we have consciously tried to stay away from it.

"Even the gender equality that we try to show is through the medium of couture is more subdued and bring in a little more sanity but keep it more occasion driven.

"The focus is not only on the garment but on the wearer, there is a story to every garment. The shift of focus is not only on the garment but equally on the adorning it."

A brand that started in 2007, building it up was the toughest and most challenging task "but at the same time is the most fulfilling and it has taken us 14 years to understand what Shantanu & Nikhil as a brand mean to the world.

"This rude awakening has happened recently where we have fallen in love with the country we live in and feel the need to bring back some of those glorious moments of India and how about modernising it to cater to this new wave of the emerging market called the millennials," said Shantanu.

With a lesson that states that "find your soul and stick with it" for newcomers, they also feel that the Indian fashion industry has now realised the opportunity that lies in India's history without having to depend on craftsmanship only but look for the inner craftsman.

Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), which has been a frontrunner in taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' vision, organised an event showcasing the Indian craft and textile at the ninth edition of the summit on Saturday.

Designer Gautam Gupta says being stagnant is not in his DNA as he believes in improvising on things he is doing.

"As designers, we want to do new things and also improvise on the things we are doing. Sometimes it might work commercially and sometimes it won't, but being stagnant is not in our DNA.

"Our research was going very deep in textiles and with blending of yarns we got some unique looks in textiles. We always had a great repertoire in embroideries, so we realise that we need to do more and create something new. So we start by keeping a separate identity to position both 'asha gautam' and 'GG' differently," Gupta told IANS in an email interview about his brands.

The designer has come up with a new luxury prêt and fusion wear label from the house of asha gautam and GG.

Talking about the expansion, Gupta said: "The former is more of a heritage brand, whereas this (GG) being a more stylish one, this enabled us to do a lot of new things. The brand 'asha gautam' has a different brand ethos and being a 20 year old label, people had an image of the same so we started GG as it has a different story and played with textiles and textures in a diverse way."

The new label focuses on using Indian textiles which are handwoven with diverse arts to give it more contemporary feel as well as give lot of options to play with. The designer played with lot of 3D embroidery to give that edgy look.

Structured jackets with dhotis and palazzo drape saris, kaftans, kurtas with skirts and shararas, capes and crop tops with different styles of lowers are some of the silhouettes that are going to be part of the range.

Fashion designer Victoria Beckham has spent 1,200 pounds on a new moisturiser made from her own blood.

The fashion designer, 44, took to her Instagram stories to share that she is now using the anti-ageing property by Barbara Sturm, a doctor loved by celebrities for her 'vampire facials', reports dailymail.co.uk.

Deciding to try out the range while her daughter Harper, 7, got a facial at Barbara's clinic in Germany last week, the former Spice Girls singer said that her blood had been used to "create healing factors made by her own cells".

Victoria first uploaded an image of a slew of bottles from the range and posted: "This week I'll be using these products."

She then offered a closer look to a tub of moisturiser and informed her followers of the process: "Dr Barbara Sturm took my blood and created healing factors made by my own cells which is highly anti inflammatory and regenerative."

Victoria, who already has glowing skin, said: "After sleeping in the mask, (which soaks in so doesn't look funny or feel sticky) my skin feels amazing! Super hydrated and clear! And very soft!".

Designers Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra will showcase their first ever finale collection at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2019.

Inspired by Matte Reinvent -- Lakme's beauty theme for the season -- the designers will present their latest collection titled Recruit SS'19 on February 4, a statement said.

Their line promises to take the audience on an empowering journey of the culmination of modern authority in the contemporary Indian framework of beliefs and will highlight the evolution that has led to the emancipation of the millennial Indian woman.

Embedded in the black, gold and scarlet red colour scheme, this season's ensembles will showcase silhouettes that have been reworked into exaggerated drapes with dramatic mesh overlays over their edgy take on traditional skirts, oversized capes accessorized with eclectic medallion adornments, silk tassels and intricate gold embroidery.

"There is so much creativity and enthusiasm each time we collaborate with Lakmé Fashion Week that brings to light our couture storytelling. This time Shantanu & Nikhil is carrying forward its India story with a strong sense of belief in what upholds for women of the future generations.

"Our design sensibilities are in line with the brand's focus on their new Lakmé Absolute Matte Ultimate Collection. Unlike their previous grand finale shows, this time they are not only focusing on grandeur but also on the understated qualities of design and beauty and that is precisely what makes the S&N Couture Creations unique," they said in a joint statement.

On the association, Ashwath Swaminathan, Head of Innovations, Lakmé said, "This season our aim is to give matte an all new meaning... We are excited to bring it alive at Lakmé Fashion Week Finale in collaboration with Shantanu & Nikhil."

The Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) has joined hands with Diamond Producers Association to identify and mentor Indian diamond jewellery design talent, who will be given a chance to showcase their work at the Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2019 edition.

As part of 'The Real Cut', emerging designers associated with iconic jewellery brands will for the first time showcase their work at LFW in collaboration with emerging fashion designers, a statement said.

They will get an opportunity to showcase their work with designer labels Rara Avis by Sonal Verma, Verandah by Anjali Patel Mehta and Saaksha & Kinni by Saaksha Bhat and Kinnari Kamat.

The collaboration will showcase the versatility of diamonds and how they can be teamed with pret wear.

The designers, with experience of three to eight years, must demonstrate a combination of innovative design and techniques to celebrate diamonds. Winners will be chosen by jury members who will evaluate them on parameters ranging from quality, innovation, marketability, originality and ability to take their business to the next level.

Richa Singh, Managing Director - India, Diamond Producers Association, said: "Diamonds have a very deep connection to the history, culture and fashion of India. We are excited to collaborate with LFW to offer a platform that will identify and nurture diamond jewellery design talent and be beyond a basic showcase."

"Our path-breaking association, which pairs and enhances pret fashion wear with everyday Diamond jewellery, is the perfect opportunity for young and emerging Diamond jewellery designers to display their talent and celebrate this billion-year-old miracle of nature. I'm looking forward to seeing the exciting looks that emerge on the runway, with Diamonds enhancing every collection."

Jaspreet Chandok, Vice President and Fashion Head - IMG Reliance, said: "Our aim is to constantly evolve while making the right associations that add value and set a new benchmark. With this association, we are taking a step towards creating a new platform for diamond jewellery designers in the Indian fashion industry."

The year 2019 will be a season of contrasts as all the previous fashion rules will be broken. Untraditional aesthetics will take the spotlight, menswear and womens wear will shift through global cultures and comfort will be the key.

* Untraditional aesthetics: Following are some of the untraditional aesthetic trends that would be the talk of the town for the coming year. Like heat lock apparels which are lightweight fabrics with micro fibre to regulate the body temperature. Aqua sorb apparels which block rain & snow and allow vapours to dry the heat.

* Upcoming trends: This year, oversized, unstructured outerwear will rule the trend. From classic and fitted to unstructured and modern, tracksuits will become a major fashion staple. The trousers will become baggier as hemlines will get wider. This season's twist comes in the pastel pile-up head-to-toe in layers and tiers upon tiers of same shade. Be it apparels, shoes or bags, this trend will work well in all cases. In accessories, statement belts will be seen everywhere.

* Say hi to big sunnies: The eyewear trend that is bound to transform your entire look is big sunnies in edgy colours! The narrow sunglasses have stayed in vogue massively this year and 2019 will witness a stylish comeback of large glares. The oversized sunglasses are designed to accentuate any look and never go out of style in the age of ever-changing trends. Get your hands on the trendsetting sunglasses to be an ultimate head-turner wherever you go.

* Meet minimalistic: The perfect companion in 2019 for any occasion would be the all-time favourite - minimalistic glasses owing to their versatility and charming appeal. So wait no more! Bid adieu to your mundane shades and let your eyes do the talking with ‘barely-there' shades.

* White sneakers: White men's trainers are a must if you want to wear something sporty yet trendy. One could argue that they get dirty but they go with everything and the colour gives us the option to play with it when you play with winter layering